Non-Pyrotechnic Explosive Apparatus Simulator

ABSTRACT

An explosive device simulator system has a housing in the shape of an explosive device. The simulator includes a sound producing system inside the housing. A light producing system inside the housing receives an actuation signal from a trigger system. The trigger system may include a microcontroller, which can be used to include a delay between a trigger event and the actuation signal. The simulator may include a smoke producing system that includes a powder that is dispersed by a gas generator. The powder exits the housing through a number of vents. A cordite odor substance may be included in the powder to provide a realistic smell of an exploded device. A light producing system provides the flash of a real explosive device and is connected to the microcontroller.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority on provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/204,060, filed on Dec. 31, 2008, entitled “Nitrogen Inert Gas Encapsulated Loadable Inflator Gas Generator Powered Battlefield Simulators” and Ser. No. 61/237,730, filed on Aug. 28, 2009, entitled “Non-Pyrotechnic Training Hand Grenade” are hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Explosion simulators have been used in numerous military and commercial applications, such as military training, intrusion alarms, diversion devices (stun grenades), bird repelling noisemakers and stage effects. The military has employed explosion simulators during tactical engagement training to simulate explosions. For such military applications, explosion simulators generate bang, smoke, and flash cues in response to electrical signals from an electronic scoring system. During engagement training, the explosion simulators warn nearby units of an attack and indicate the strike locations of the artillery rounds to the attacking forces. Unfortunately, none of the present explosion simulators are useful in simulating improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that are a preferred method of attacking our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, none of the present explosive simulators provide a realistic smelling device, unless they use pyrotechnic devices that are dangerous. Similarly, realistic sounding explosive simulators have only been possible when pyrotechnic devices are used. Many of the explosion simulators being used by the military and civilian market are not reusable and are therefore expensive.

It is thus apparent that a need exits for a non-pyrotechnic explosion device simulator that is inexpensive, provides realistic sound and smell without using pyrotechnic devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A system that overcomes these and other problems includes a housing having a shape of an explosive device. A sound generator system is located inside the housing. A smoke producing system is also located inside the housing. The sound producing system is synchronized with the sound generating system. A light producing system is connected to the housing.

A non-pyrotechnic military device simulator has a housing with a shape that imitates an explosive device. A gas generator is encased in the housing. An electronic actuator controls the gas generator. The housing has a number of vents.

A non-pyrotechnic explosive device simulator has a housing with the shape of an explosive device. A gas generator is enclosed in the housing. A powder is contained in the housing. A number of vents are in the housing, wherein the powder is ejected from the vents when the gas generator expels gas.

A non-pyrotechnic explosive apparatus simulator includes a housing with the shape of an explosive device. A light producing system is attached to the housing and includes a number of lights that strobe at a predetermined rate. A trigger system transmits an actuation signal to the light producing system when a trigger is received.

The non-pyrotechnic device is reusable, therefore reducing the cost of using the simulator. A cordite smelling substance is added to the powder and provides a realistic smell of an explosive device. A realistic sound is provided by an audio chamber or structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional block diagram view of a non-pyrotechnic explosive device simulator system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional block diagram view of military device simulator in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a non-pyrotechnic explosive device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is across sectional view of a non-pyrotechnic explosive apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An explosive device simulator system has a housing in the shape of an explosive device. The simulator includes a sound producing system inside the housing. A light producing system inside the housing receives an actuation signal from a trigger system. The trigger system may include a microcontroller, which can be used to include a delay between a trigger event and the actuation signal. The simulator may include a smoke producing system that includes a powder that is dispersed by a gas generator. The powder exits the housing through a number of vents. A cordite odor substance may be included in the powder to provide a realistic smell of an exploded device. A light producing system provides the flash of a real explosive device and is connected to the microcontroller. Except for the powder and odor producing substance, the device is reusable reducing the cost of operating the system. The gas generator also needs to be recharged. This simulator system allows for a realistic training device that is inexpensive to operate and by changing the housing can simulate numerous devices. Note as used herein non-pyrotechnic means that no flames are generated as part of activating the device.

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional block diagram view of a non-pyrotechnic explosive device simulator system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The system 10 has a housing 12 having a shape similar to a land mine. The system 10 includes a trigger system 14. The trigger system 14 is connected to a microcontroller or microprocessor 16 in one embodiment. The microcontroller 16 sends an actuation signal to a sound generating system 18. A smoke producing system 20 is synchronized with the sound generating system 18. The smoke generating system 20 is in communication 21 with a plurality of vents 23. The vents 23 are located in the housing 12. A light producing system 22 is also synchronized with the sound generating system 18. In one embodiment, an odor producing system 24 is connected with the smoke producing system 20. The light producing system 12 controls a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 26 in one embodiment. The LEDs 26 are attached to the outside of the housing 12. In one embodiment, the LED 26 strobe at a predetermined rate. Strobing the LEDs provides a more realistic visual effect of how an explosion is perceived by a user. The strobe rate is six hertz in one embodiment.

The trigger system 14 may be mechanical, such as a pressure trigger or may be an electronic trigger. A pressure trigger might be used with land mine simulator device, while and electronic trigger may be used with an improvised explosive device (IED). The electronic trigger may be actuated by a cellular telephone, an optical signal, a switch, etc.

In one embodiment, the microcontroller 16 is used to sense a trigger event and then delay an actuation signal to the sound generating system 18, light producing system 22, and smoke producing system 20. An application for this delay is a training hand grenade.

The light producing system 12 generates a strobe signal that is applied to the lights 26. The lights 26 light up the powder from the smoke producing system 20 to create a realistic looking explosion. The odor producing system is just a chemical that smells like cordite or other explosive after it has been fired.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional block diagram view of military device simulator 30 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. This device 30 has a housing 32 in the shape of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). A gas generator 34 is located inside the housing. The housing 32 has a plurality of vents 35 for venting gas generated by the gas generator 34. An electronic actuator 36 sends an actuation signal to the gas generator 34 to release gas. An audio chamber 38 may be attached to the gas generator 34 to create a sound like an explosive detonating. The audio chamber 38 may be part of the vents 35 in one embodiment. Since gas is being forced through the vents 35, they can be shaped to resonant to provide a noise similar to an explosive.

The gas generator 34 may be a squib 40 in one embodiment. A squib 40 is a miniature explosive device that generators a large amount of gas in a very short period of time. Squibs are often used to power airbags in cars. Alternatively, the gas generator may be a compressed gas. In one embodiment, the gas generator is a molecule that is compressed to a pressure where it is a liquid. When the gas generator housing is opened to the atmosphere the liquid molecule quickly becomes a gas. Examples of molecules or atoms that can be used are carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium, argon or a combination of these inert gases. In another embodiment the gas generator contains a combination of fluid fuels, with fluid oxidizers, liquid monopropellants, and liquid or gaseous material which dissociate in a rapid exothermic reaction. The fluid fuels may include hydrogen and hydrocarbons, such as gasoline, kerosene, C₁-C₈ paraffinns, ethers, esters, alcohols and butanes. The fluid oxidizer may be nitrous oxide or air. An electronic initiator ignites the fluid fuel and oxidizer.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a non-pyrotechnic explosive device 50 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The device 50 has a housing 52 in the shape of a hand grenade. Inside the housing 52 is a microcontroller 54, which senses when a handle 55 is released. A squib 56 receives an ignition signal from the microcontroller 54. The squib 56 is held in a chamber 58 inside the housing 52. A powder 60 is contained in a sack 62 inside a second chamber 64. In one embodiment, the sack is made of paper. The squib chamber 58 is in communication with the powder chamber 64. The powder chamber 64 is in communication with a plurality of openings 66 in the housing 52. In one embodiment, the powder 60 also contains a substance 68 the smell like cordite or other expended explosive. The device 50 may also contain an audio amplifying structure 70. In one embodiment, the device 50 has a plurality of capacitance sensors 72. These capacitance sensors 72 determine if a person is holding or near the device.

In operation, when the handle 55 is released this is sensed by the microcontroller 54. The microcontroller 54 waits a predetermined amount of time between the release of the handle 55 and sending an initiation signal to the squib 56. Note the initiation signal is not sent by the microcontroller 54 if the capacitance sensors 72 detect a person is too close to the device. This prevents the device 50 from detonating until the device 50 is a safe distance from people. When the squib 56 receives the initiation signal, the squib 56 starts a chemical reaction that produces a large quantity of gas in a short period of time. The expanding gas pushes on the powder sack 62 until it breaks causing the powder 60 to be propelled out of the opening 66. The expanding gas also interacts with the audio amplifying structure 70 to create the sound of an explosive device. In one embodiment, the delay time from the release of the handle and the sending of the initiation signal is three seconds. In another embodiment, the time between the release of the handle 55 and the sending of the initiation signal is random, between two and five seconds in one embodiment. The device 50 may be reused by replacing the squib and the powder 60. All the other components are unharmed by detonation of the device 50.

FIG. 4 is across sectional view of a non-pyrotechnic explosive apparatus 80 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 80 has a housing 82 in the shape of an artillery shell or mortar. The apparatus 80 has a trigger system 84, which includes a pressure sensor 86 in this embodiment. The trigger system 84 sends an actuation signal to the light producing system 88. The light producing system 88 strobes a plurality of lights 90 attached to the housing 82. In one embodiment, the lights are strobed at six hertz for a predetermined period of time after receiving the actuation signal and then turned off. A gas generator 92 is synchronized with the light producing system 88. The gas generator 92 is in communication with a plurality of vents 94 in the housing 82. In one embodiment, the lights are white light LEDs (Light Emitting Devices).

Thus there has been described a system that can be used to simulate the effects of numerous explosive devices, by minor changes to the housing and the internal structure of the housing. The system can be reused, which reduces the icy cost of operating the system. The system is non-pyrotechnic in all embodiments that use powder and when the gas generator is a compressed gas. The system provides a realistic smell of an explosive device that has detonated.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alterations, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-pyrotechnic explosive apparatus simulator, comprising: a housing having a shape of an explosive device; a light producing system attached to the housing, including a plurality of lights that strobe at a predetermined rate; and a trigger system transmitting an actuation signal to the light producing system when a trigger is received.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a gas generator receiving an actuation signal from the trigger system.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the housing includes a plurality of openings.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a gas is expelled from the plurality of opening when the gas generator is activated.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, further including a powder contained in the housing and expelled from the plurality of openings when the gas generator is activated.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further including a cordite odor substance contained in the housing and expelled from the plurality of openings when the gas generator is activated.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the plurality of lights are a plurality of LEDs.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light producing system strobes for a predetermined period of time after receiving the actuation signal.
 9. A non-pyrotechnic explosive apparatus simulator, comprising: a housing having a shape of an explosive device; a plurality of lights attached to the housing; a trigger system transmitting an actuation signal to the light producing system when a trigger is received; and a sound system receiving the actuation signal.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further including a gas generator receiving the actuation signal.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of lights strobe at a predetermined rate upon receiving the actuation signal.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plurality of lights strobe for a predetermined period of time upon receiving the actuation signal and then turn off.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, further including a powder enclosed in the housing.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the housing has a plurality of vents.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10, further including an odor substance inside the housing.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sound system includes a squib.
 17. The apparatus of claim 9, further including a safety system inside the housing.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the safety system senses a capacitance. 